Aussie the polar bear euthanized at Brookfield Zoo

The oldest male polar bear in an accredited North American zoo was euthanized Friday at Brookfield Zoo.

His name was Aussie, and according to Dr. Mike Adkesson, vice president of clinical medicine for the Chicago Zoological Society, the 32-year-old mammal had a “lot of close relationships with the care staff” — making it a tough day for the crew.

“It was unfortunate timing, but it was the right decision at the right time,” he said. “The care staff had been monitoring him closely for the past year and saw a decline in his health — an abrupt slowing down.”

Aussie had been on a variety of pain relievers, which kept him comfortable. Over the past several weeks, veterinary and animal care staff noticed a gradual decline in his condition and decreased response to medications, necessitating the difficult decision for euthanasia to prevent Aussie from experiencing discomfort. As Aussie had been with the zoo for over 30 years, Adkesson likened the decision to one people must make for their pets at home in deciding when to say goodbye.

“He was about as old as a bear could get — well over 100 in human years,” Adkesson added. He said most polar bears live to be in their 20s in the wild, and given Aussie’s health, he wouldn’t have survived as long as he did if he were not in captivity. “He wouldn’t have been able to hunt or swim for food in the wild,” Adkesson said.

Aussie was born at Adelaide Zoo in Australia in June 1985. His official name was BIAZ, an acronym for Born In Adelaide Zoo. However, upon arriving at Brookfield Zoo in December 1986, animal care staff started calling him Aussie because he was the first polar bear to come to North America from Australia. Soon after his arrival, he was introduced to one of the zoo’s female polar bears, and together they produced five offspring, including Hudson, who just turned 11.

Aussie’s passing leaves Brookfield with two polar bears — Hudson and a 24-year-old female polar bear named Nan. Adkesson said the two are breeding now and he’s hopeful the Chicago-area will be greeting some new polar bear babies soon.